Friday, April 14, 2017

Amoris Laetitia - Par. 257

257. One way of maintaining fellowship with our loved ones is to pray for them.285 The Bible tells us that "to pray for the dead" is "holy and pious" (2 Macc 12:44-45). "Our prayer for them is capable not only of helping them, but also of making their intercession for us effective".286 The book of Revelation portrays the martyrs interceding for those who suffer injustice on earth (cf. Rev 6:9-11), in solidarity with this world and its history. Some saints, before dying, consoled their loved ones by promising them that they would be near to help them. Saint Therese of Lisieux wished to continue doing good from heaven.287 Saint Dominic stated that "he would be more helpful after death...more powerful in obtaining graces".288 These are truly "bonds of love",289 because "the union of the wayfarers with the brethren who sleep in the Lord is in no way interrupted...[but] reinforced by an exchange of spiritual goods".290